Customer Reviews

All Else Failed

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is an album people would either love or hate, and much of the disagreement is related with the preference over which singer-- Dan Weyandt or Eric Reeder. Personally, I think this CD should not be seen as a target for comparison but a simple rerelease that adds a new dimension of listening to what was already a successful album.

Objectively, All Else Failed is a dark, heavy, spiritual album with roaring vocals by Dan Weyandt and guitars that add some clarity to the disoriented tunes of hardcore. The whole package is artistic, especially with the addition of the mysterious and ironic outro. For Christians reading this review, the outro somewhat reminds me of the Book of Job where the rain and thunder symbolize struggle, and the laughter at the end symbolize that it was all a test.

This CD is probably suited for Zao fans. If you're new to Zao, you're probably better off buying other albums by the band like "Liberate Te Ex Fenris" or preferably the greatest hits compilation, "Legendary".

I'm glas they re-recorded there old stuff, because this is alot better than the first and I think Zao has vastly improved over the years, so if you have any common sense, you'll buy this now, especially if you want REAL hardcore/death metal CD.

All Else Failed. The 1st full-length Zao album. Although there were EP's, this started it all. Now it's back with Zao's newest and "final" line-up of Jesse, Scott and Dan. If you have heard the original, this has definitly a more metal sound then before. Although Jesse's drumming was no were near as technical in the original, it's far better then his work on Parade of Chaos. Although I shouldn't really be commenting on his dumming, he's one of the best. And I have to say, Dan's vocal diversity on this album is incredible. He goes back to his older high-pitched shrieks, then to his deeper more throaty growls like those in "Self-Titled". The only downside is that there are only 8 songs. They're all amazing of course, and it still manages to hit over 44 minutes despite the lack of tracks. All in all, it's a great buy, especially for those who didn't like Shawn Jonas' vocals in the original. I personally liked them, but thats just me. Anyways, if you like Zao, buy it, if you haven't heard Zao, buy Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest.

If you think they sound the same as the Zao today, they don't. It's kind of like a while different band. Don't think I don't like this CD and songs, I love them and I think this is one of the best Albums ever made. I'd definitely recommend this CD to anyone. I'm just saying though, don't expect them to be the same Zao as today. When this album was made, all the original members were still in Zao. With the latest album(The Fear is what Keeps Us Here, which is great, there are no original members. So, it actually is a whole new band.

So:
- Great Songs
- Great members
- Amazing sound
- Good genre

All and all, it's a great CD, you all should buy a copy. ZAO FOR LIFE!

Zao covering Zao... thats what this album is (The band has gone through several member changes where they now have NO ORIGINAL members). The original is far better than this and these are not my words THEY'RE THE BANDS! They did not want to do this album at all and they barely learned the songs to it hoping they didn't have to record it. Why did they do that? Because they thought the original recordings were OUTSTANDING and when you compare the two THEY'RE RIGHT! This album has a lot of slow chugging and mediocre drumming. If you want to hear the amazing guitars and drums that made Zao what it is get SPLINTER SHARDS THE BIRTH OF SEPARATION! Jesse Smith (the original drummer who did both recordings) sounds so much better on the original (faster, more complex, and just all around solid drumming. Take it from the band: THE ORIGINAL IS SOOO MUCH BETTER!

All else failed was better the first time for sure, but this was a fairly good album. Most of the songs are a lot slower then to original, and the vocals have that computer sound that At Zero had. All in all it's gets a 4

i can tell that all the people at cornerstone are going to have some fun with this, but we need more songs! dont get me wronge,ZAO is one of the greatest bands ever. with the wicked lyrics and crazy guitar rifs, they paved the way for any band to come after them. this still isnt one of the best zao cd's but like all of them they are all awsome.

if you did not like this album you do not deserve to call yourself a Zao fan. i just wish i could bve able to give 6 stars....very very good work. iafter hearing this, there was no regret in my heart for paying retail price for this album, i agree that the downside was that there was only 8 tracks, and there was a RRRRRRRRRREALLY long wait for this album. i just hope that Zao also remakes The "Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation" EP and the very rare "Outcast" demo. very very VERY good work guys

This is a remake of the original with Dan Weydant doing vocals (and I assume bass too because he is the bass player in his new band), Scott Mellinger on guitar, and Jesse Smith (as always) on drums. The albums sounds like "Parade of Chaos" but with the old music. It is nice, but almost nothing like the original. The songs are slower and much more metalcore-ish than hardcore. That said, I love Dan Weydant's vocal style and the album is much "heavier" than the original so it is worth getting.

This is the third time this album has been released. The first time...back in the 9-6, it was fantastic stuff. Shawn Jonas had just taken over and it was an exciting time in Zao land.

The second time around it was exactly the same, just re-packaged by Steadfast in 99.

This album is number three and it lacks the "third time's a charm" axiom that others are giving it. It's a re-make and it's slower than the original, with Dan on vocals.
Give me Shawn anyday.

stem